Mallinder makes it a five-star win for Saints

Tom Vickers

Harry Mallinder was in the right place at the right time again for Saints as he helped secure a vital bonus-point 29-23 win against Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday afternoon.

Mallinder, who had come on for Luther Burrell with 13 minutes remaining, made the most of good work from Samoan wing Ken Pisi to charge in for a crucial 73rd-minute try.

Mike Haywood's fine offload set up Ben Foden's score

It stretched Saints’ lead to nine points and added to earlier efforts from Alex Waller, Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden, ensuring Jim Mallinder’s men earned a maximum haul.

Quins had threatened to avenge last month’s dramatic 27-23 defeat to Saints, with tries from Tim Visser and Jack Clifford putting them in control.

Clifford’s effort had put Conor O’Shea’s men eight points ahead early in the second half, but Saints stormed back, showing real spirit to earn a first league double of the campaign.

The victory moved Northampton above Leicester into fourth, with the Tigers having lost 27-20 at Sale Sharks earlier in the day.

Kieran Brookes was back in action for Saints

Saints had gone into the match knowing only five points would do if they were to return to the play-off positions, but they lost lock Christian Day to illness before the kick-off.

England star Lawes came into the side, with Victor Matfield on the bench.

But it was Quins who started the stronger as they dominated the early territory and eventually earned a penalty, which Ben Botica landed.

Stephen Myler had the chance to respond immediately, but, with the wind swirling around, he fired his effort wide.

Alex Waller dived over for Saints' opener

Saints didn’t have to wait long for their first points though as a slick move from right to left ended with Lawes sending prop Waller over for the score.

Myler missed the conversion and Quins were soon back in the lead as Saints were adjudged to have offended at the lineout and Botica slotted his second penalty from where he landed his first.

But again Saints were quickly back at the visitors’ door, displaying plenty of aggression to gain metres and after a lineout was snaffled by Teimana Harrison, Lawes popped up to score his first try since September 2012 and only his fourth in 167 appearances.